Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to fumes and toxic chemicals like creosote, silica asbestos, and creosote. These exposures can cause asthma-related respiratory problems.
Fortunately, victims are eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A reputable railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer can help. Here are some examples of settlements that have resulted in successful verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains are powered by diesel fuels railroad workers are exposed all day to diesel fumes. These fumes are a mixture of soot particles and toxic chemicals. Exposure to these fumes may cause the development of asthma and other lung illnesses.
Railroads have been aware of dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for decades. However numerous companies have not taken appropriate measures to protect their employees. In the end, a few railroad workers have been diagnosed with respiratory illnesses that are a major cause of death.
When combined with other workplace hazards, like asbestos, silica and creosote, exposure to diesel fumes could result in the development of life-altering pulmonary illnesses, such as asthma. These ailments can stop railroad workers from returning back to their work, and could even affect their overall health.
In one case that our lawyers were able to defend, they successfully a FELA claim by a former engineer who claimed to have developed leukemia and other cancers due to his exposure to diesel fumes as well as other toxic chemicals when working on railway equipment. The court granted summary judgment on behalf of the railroads. It ruled that Plaintiff had not made an informed search about his condition when the disease was discovered, and that his claims are time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to different kinds of dust, such as silica from coal dust, ballast and chemical fuels or petroleum. These toxic substances pose a threat to health and can cause respiratory diseases like asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has helped many people seek compensation for their exposure. FELA permits workers suffering from certain diseases to hold their employers accountable for not protecting them from dangers in their workplaces.
A Montana jury, for instance it awarded $3.7 Million to a former engineer of the railroad who suffered from pulmonary fibroidsis, which is a progressive lung condition that is caused by scarring in lung tissue. The defendant's FELA claim alleged that the inhalation of diesel exhaust on a number of or even thousands of occasions led to the development of his lung disease. Lymphoma lawsuit of defense experts did not convince jurors that the engineer's lung disease was due to another cause.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club also successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railroad over its coal trains. Multiple myeloma lawsuit passes through the Gorge it pollutes habitats for wildlife and plants, tributary streams, wetlands, and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. BNSF has announced that it will stop bringing coal in the Gorge and other areas.
Asbestos
Railroad workers have been exposed to hazardous chemicals. While asbestos has been largely removed from the workplace, a variety of toxic substances are still. Chemical solvents are known to cause asthma and respiratory illness. Railroad employees can sue their employers to seek compensation.
In one instance one case, a 61-year-old engineer in the field of locomotives was awarded $2.6 million after a jury's verdict determined that his work on the railroad made him suffer from diesel asthma. The condition forced him to take medical leave, which resulted in the loss of wages. He also had to undergo two back surgeries, which included an lumbar spinal fusion with multiple levels, all of which added up to significant medical costs.
He said the air he breathed was constantly contaminated with diesel exhaust fumes and strong smells. He also said he was constantly exposed to silica particles chemical compounds, spray paints and black smoke. His chest tightened and his throat hurt. He also had difficulty swallowing. bnsf lawsuit was afflicted by allergies and chronic bronchitis.
The railroads successfully argued the releases the plaintiff signed in 1996 should bar his lawsuit because he was aware of the danger at the time he was exposed asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be extended until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer in order to allow him to seek medical attention and determine if the illness is connected to his work.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, lung diseases, mesothelioma, or other types of cancers that could be connected to work in the railroad industry, you might have the right to bring an action under FELA against the company that employed you. FELA lawsuits could award compensation for medical costs loss of wages, suffering and pain, as well as other damages. Contact a Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.
A jury has awarded an ex- Conrail engineer $2.6 million in the case of occupational illness after concluding that the retiree's debilitating asthma was caused by his nearly constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes while working on locomotives at rail yards. The plaintiff's lawyers claimed that the railroad was unable to stop this type of exposure because they did not install proper ventilation in the locomotive cabs.
In addition to the diesel fumes that railroad workers breathe, they also frequently come into contact toxic chemicals and other harmful substances during their job. Asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens are commonly found in construction and maintenance materials. These harmful materials can cause various kinds of cancers, as well as serious health issues, including asthma.
Kidney cancer lawsuit can help you hold an employer accountable for their negligence in the event that you suffer from asthma due to your railway work, or if someone you love has been diagnosed with a cancer that could be connected to rail industry. Contacting an experienced attorney immediately can help you maximize your chances of obtaining the financial compensation you're entitled to for the pain and suffering.